Jeff Hurd

Rep. Hurd’s Bipartisan Made in America Jobs Act Passes Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Position: Rep. Hurd supports legislation that authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to direct Economic Development Administration grants toward manufacturing projects in economically distressed communities, with the goal of bringing manufacturing jobs back to rural and mid-sized areas.

WASHINGTON—This week, Congressman Jeff Hurd’s Made in America Jobs Act (H.R. 7342) passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to consider projects that bring manufacturing jobs back to economically distressed communities as eligible for pre-existing Economic Development Administration grant programs. These programs, supported by the EDA, help local leaders prepare sites, improve infrastructure, and plan for new employers looking to expand or return operations to high-unemployment, low-income, or otherwise economically distressed communities in the United States. “I’m encouraged to see the Made in America Jobs Act advance out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with bipartisan support. This is an important step towards bringing well-paying manufacturing jobs to the communities that need them most,” said Rep. Hurd. “Rural and mid-sized communities across Colorado and the country are ready to lead the next chapter of American manufacturing growth—and this bill helps ensure federal policy supports that effort. I look forward to bringing it to the House floor.” As companies reassess global supply chains and Congress looks to bolster American manufacturing, many of our communities are well-positioned to host these jobs and opportunities but lack clear access to federal resources designed to support that transition. The Made in America Jobs Act makes that transition easier by leveraging existing federal programs to support job creation, strengthen domestic supply chains, and promote economic growth in these communities. Read the full bill text here. ### Issues: Economy

Congressman Jeff Hurd Releases Statement on H.J.Res.72

Position: Congressman Hurd opposes broad emergency tariff authority delegated to the Executive Branch, arguing that such powers should remain with Congress under Article I. He supports strengthening American industry but contends that trade policy must be durable, transparent, and subject to Congressional accountability rather than unilateral presidential action.

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jeff Hurd released the following statement regarding his vote on H.J.Res.72: "Today’s vote is grounded first and foremost in the Constitution. Article I gives Congress the authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to levy tariffs. Over time, Congress has delegated limited authority to the Executive Branch, particularly in matters involving national emergencies. But those delegations were never intended to serve as a permanent vehicle for sweeping, long-term trade policy. If we normalize broad emergency trade powers today, we should expect that a future president—of either party—will rely on the same authority in ways many of us would strongly oppose. Institutional consistency matters. The Constitution does not shift depending on who occupies the White House. My responsibility is to defend the separation of powers regardless of political convenience. I also represent Western and Southern Colorado, and my constituents are directly affected by these policies. Agricultural producers in my district already operate on tight margins in volatile global markets. Retaliatory tariffs add pressure to their exports and supply chains. At the same time, the largest steel rail mill in the United States, also in my district, depends on stable market conditions and predictable costs. When trade policy becomes unpredictable, it affects payrolls, investment decisions, and long-term planning. I support the goal of strengthening American industry. Where I differ is on the method. My obligation is to defend both my district and the constitutional framework that protects us over the long term. This is not a partisan calculation; it is an economic and institutional one. Strong trade policy requires durability, transparency, and Congressional accountability. That is how we protect American industry while preserving the separation of powers that safeguards our republic." ### Issues: Economy

Rep. Jeff Hurd & Rep. Shomari Figures Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Bring Jobs Back to the United States

Position: The representatives support legislation that updates federal economic development programs to help American communities attract jobs relocating from overseas and expand domestic manufacturing and customer service employment.

WASHINGTON — Representatives Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03) and Shomari Figures (D-AL-02) introduced the Made in America Jobs Act, legislation designed to help American communities attract jobs currently located overseas and grow manufacturing and customer service jobs in the United States. The bill updates existing federal economic development law to ensure communities can use pre-existing grant programs to support projects that facilitate the relocation of jobs to the United States. These programs, supported by the Economic Development Administration, would help local leaders prepare sites, improve infrastructure, and plan for new employers looking to expand or return operations to the United States. “For decades, federal economic development policy has focused on helping communities recover after jobs are lost,” said Rep. Hurd. “The Made in America Jobs Act flips that model by giving communities the tools they need to compete for jobs coming back to the United States, strengthen local industries, and build long-term economic opportunity. Rural and mid-sized communities across Colorado’s Third District and the country have the workforce, space, and determination to support American industry, and this bill ensures federal policy helps those communities succeed.” "Creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity across Alabama's 2nd District is among my top priorities in Congress," said Rep. Figures. "I am pleased to join with Rep. Jeff Hurd to introduce bipartisan legislation that will make the types of federal investments needed to help American businesses scale up and create more good paying jobs in our community." As companies reassess global supply chains and the risks of overseas operations, many American communities are well-positioned to host returning jobs but lack clear access to federal tools designed to support that transition. The Made in America Jobs Act leverages existing federal programs to encourage job creation, strengthen domestic supply chains, and promote economic growth in communities across the country. Read the full bill text here. ### Issues: Economy

Reps. Hurd and Moore Introduce Legislation to Reform Congressional Budget Process

Position: The legislation would reform the congressional budget process to require annual votes on the entire federal budget, including mandatory spending programs, rather than only discretionary appropriations, to increase congressional accountability and oversight of federal spending.

WASHINGTON — Representatives Jeff Hurd (R-CO) and Blake Moore (R-UT) introduced legislation to reform the budget process and provide accountability to taxpayers. The Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act reforms the annual budget and appropriations process by requiring Congress to vote on the entire Congressional budget each year, rather than only on the 12 appropriations bills that cover one quarter of all federal spending. “Washington’s broken budget process is a big reason we keep piling up debt without ever having an honest debate about priorities," Rep Hurd said. "Congress budgets in pieces, hides the real costs, and then acts surprised by the results. This legislation forces Congress to do what the Constitution expects: look at the entire budget at once and take responsibility for every dollar we spend and every dollar we borrow. It’s a serious reform that strengthens Congress and restores accountability to the process.” "The Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse to allocate taxpayer dollars in the interests of the American people. Yet Congress has slowly surrendered this role to mandatory or "autopilot" spending programs that account for almost 75% of the budget and are renewed without any Congressional oversight," Rep. Moore said. "This bill requires Congress to vote on the whole budget every year, rather than just one quarter, allowing greater accountability to the taxpayer for how their dollars are spent." “Congress needs an effective regular order for budgeting. It’s important to update annual appropriations, but they are only one-quarter of spending, and for decades, an appropriations-only process has barely limped along. A bottom-up, holistic framework to weigh all spending and revenue priorities together would give Congress many more ways to solve problems. We are thrilled to support Representative Blake Moore’s Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act, a bill that would empower legislators to deliver much greater value for the American people,” said Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow for Fiscal Policy at Americans for Prosperity. Background: Each year, Congress considers its discretionary budget through the annual appropriations process. In 1974, discretionary appropriations included 50% of all federal spending, but that share has shrunk to 26% as of 2025. Mandatory spending programs have ballooned on "autopilot" without Congressional input or reauthorization. Because Congress does not vote on most spending, Members have little opportunity to offer changes to programs and spending and therefore cannot exercise the power of the purse. The Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act would reform the federal budgeting system by: Allowing the House and Senate appropriations committees to continue managing discretionary spending; Requiring each committee with direct spending or revenue jurisdiction to submit line items for each spending or revenue account along with any proposed changes to the House and Senate appropriations committees; Requiring the House Budget Committee to compile the 12 appropriations bills and submissions from other committees and send the complete budget to the House floor; and Requiring the House Budget Committee and Senate Budget Committee to report a budget baseline level if Congress fails to agree to a concurrent resolution on the budget by April 15th of each year. Full bill text can be found here. ### Issues: Economy

Rep. Hurd Stands Up For Rural Colorado and the Third District, Urges Override of Arkansas Valley Conduit Veto

Position: Rep. Hurd advocates for congressional override of the presidential veto of H.R. 131, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, which extends repayment periods and lowers interest rates for rural Colorado water systems to deliver safe drinking water to southeastern Colorado communities.

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Jeff Hurd spoke on the House floor in defense of his constituents in southeastern Colorado, urging Congress to override President Trump’s veto of H.R. 131, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act. “In 1962, Congress authorized the Arkansas Valley Conduit to deliver safe drinking water to rural communities in southeastern Colorado,” Rep. Hurd explained. “Sixty-four years later, that promise remains unfinished. These communities grow watermelon, cantaloupe, and chiles and support families who ranch and raise livestock. When we talk about honoring federal commitments, we are talking about whether the people who grow our food can count on clean water. These are real families in real towns facing real public health consequences.” H.R. 131 does not expand the project, authorize new construction, or increase the federal share. The legislation simply provides rural communities more time and flexibility to repay the federal government by extending the repayment period and lowering interest rates in cases of economic hardship. More than 50,000 of Hurd’s constituents in southeastern Colorado currently rely on contaminated and radioactive groundwater for drinking. Eighteen water systems in the region are under enforcement orders for violating EPA standards. “For those of us who represent the American West, this vote is personal,” Rep. Hurd said. “In the West, water means survival. It determines whether communities grow or disappear, whether agriculture survives, and whether families can trust what comes out of their taps.” Hurd also reminded his colleagues that President Trump’s own administration previously celebrated this project as a victory for rural Colorado. In October 2020, the Trump Administration broke ground on the conduit, issuing a press release promising to “bring safe, clean water to rural Colorado communities.” President Trump visited Colorado that year and told voters, “We got the money to begin construction.” His own Secretary of the Interior broke ground on the project. “Rural Colorado—and rural America more broadly—voted overwhelmingly for this President, and for an agenda that promised they would not be forgotten. They voted with the expectation that Washington would keep its commitments to rural America—not abandon them midway. If the project was worth supporting in a campaign rally and celebrating at a groundbreaking, surely it is worth finishing,” Rep. Hurd said. Hurd warned that if Congress walks away from a sixty-year commitment to rural Colorado mid-project, it sends a devastating message about the value of federal promises to Americans. “I ran for Congress to fight for my district, even when it is difficult, even when it is uncomfortable, and even when the outcome is uncertain,” Rep. Hurd said. “This is one of those moments.” ### Issues: Water

ICYMI: Reps. Hurd, Tran, Dean Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Youth Substance Use

Position: The representatives support legislation to expand federal grants for evidence-based public service announcement campaigns designed to educate youth about the dangers of substance abuse, particularly through the Department of Justice's COSSUP program.

WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Reps. Hurd (CO-03), Tran (CA-45), and Dean (PA-04) introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent youth substance use. The Youth Substance Prevention and Awareness Act would allow federal grants to fund evidence-based public service announcement (PSA) campaigns designed to educate young people about the dangers of substance abuse. Specifically, the legislation would expand the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) to support age-appropriate drug prevention PSAs launched by state and local governments that reach youth in their communities. “Preventing substance abuse before it starts is one of the most effective ways we can protect our kids and strengthen our communities. This legislation focuses on evidence-based prevention, modern communication tools, and accountability, making sure taxpayer dollars are used to reach young people where they are and with messages that actually work,” said Rep. Hurd. “By investing in smart, research-driven public awareness campaigns, we can help give families and local communities better tools to keep kids safe and on a healthy path.” “As online misinformation increasingly impacts young people, it is more important than ever to distribute reliable, factual information about the impacts of substance abuse. My bill would make it easier for children and teenagers to access preventative educational materials about drugs and other harmful substances that are tailored to their age, to help them make informed choices as they grow up,” said Rep. Tran. “This isn’t a partisan issue. The rapidly increasing flow of illicit drugs onto our streets, especially by malign actors like the Chinese Communist Party, is a concern for parents of young children, like me, on both sides of the political aisle. This bipartisan, common-sense legislation takes a meaningful step toward addressing substance abuse in our communities. I’m proud to have strong bipartisan support for this measure that will help keep all of our kids safe and healthy.” “So many young people are confronted with illicit substances—early intervention can help save their lives,” said Rep. Dean. “I come to this work as a mother. My son Harry is now 13 years in active recovery from opioid addiction, a heartbreaking struggle for our family that began when he was a teenager. The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act will help us more effectively reach our children, to educate them on the severity and dangers of substance use, and to protect them as they grow into the adults they are meant to be.” According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), over 5 million young adults reported having a substance use disorder, and nearly 2 million adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 reported using drugs in the last month. The Youth Substance Prevention and Awareness Act would use evidence-based preventative educational initiatives over television, radio, print media, and digital platforms to reach youth where they are and help curb substance use as early as possible. This legislation requires reporting on the PSAs funded through the grant, including: A description of the grant awarded and the public service announcement campaign funded by the grant; The research used to inform and develop the public service announcement campaign funded by the grant; Any regional or geographic-specific messaging used as part of the public service announcement campaign; A description of how the public service announcement campaign funded by the grant supports the other substance use prevention initiatives or strategy of the grantee; and An evaluation of the success of the public service announcement campaign, such as the effectiveness of the campaign at reducing youth drug use. The bicameral Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act is also supported by Senators Kelly (D-AZ), Tillis (R-NC), and Coons (D-DE). This legislation is endorsed by the National Association of Attorneys General, Partnership to End Addiction, Drug Policy Alliance, Addiction Policy Forum, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), the National Association for Children Impacted by Addiction (NACoA), the Brent Shapiro Foundation, the Alexander Neville Foundation, National Crime Prevention Council, MATFORCE, the Substance Awareness Coalition Leaders of Arizona (SACLAz), and Gang Free North Carolina. Read the full text of the legislation here. ### Issues: Healthcare

Congressman Jeff Hurd Announces First Bill Signed Into Law

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Jeff Hurd (CO-03) announced that the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act (H.R. 2316) has been signed into law by President Trump, the congressman's first bill to do so. The legislation strengthens long-term funding for habitat restoration and wetland conservation while expanding hunting access and supporting healthy ecosystems across the United States. The new law extends the timeline for interest earned on the Wildlife Restoration Fund to accumulate before being spent, allowing these resources to grow and generate additional revenue for conservation in the years ahead. The fund is paid for entirely by hunters and sportsmen through a pre-existing sales tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. “This legislation supports hunters, improves wetland health, and ensures future generations can enjoy the outdoors,” said Rep. Hurd. “I’m honored to deliver this win for our hunters, wildlife, and America’s outdoor heritage. By allowing the Wildlife Restoration Fund to grow before being spent, we’re making a smart investment that will pay dividends for habitat restoration and outdoor access for years to come.” The law also boosts funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), a proven, bipartisan program that restores wetlands and protects waterfowl habitat across North America. Through strong public-private partnerships, NAWCA has helped conserve over 32 million acres of habitat while expanding outdoor opportunities nationwide. Read the full bill text here. ### Issues: Natural Resources Water

Rep. Hurd’s Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act Passes House as Part of PERMIT Act

Position: Rep. Hurd supports streamlining Clean Water Act permitting processes by requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to eliminate backlogs in jurisdictional determinations and Section 404 permit applications, reducing delays for infrastructure and development projects while maintaining water quality protections.

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Jeff Hurd’s Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act passed the House as part of the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act. The PERMIT Act combines targeted reforms to the Clean Water Act permitting processes to cut red tape, reduce duplicative reviews, and provide greater regulatory certainty while maintaining water quality protections. The Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act requires the Army Corps of Engineers to allocate necessary resources to eliminate the existing backlog of thousands of pending jurisdictional determinations and Section 404 permit applications. Farmers, ranchers, small business owners, energy providers, and builders rely on timely jurisdictional determinations to know whether their projects require Clean Water Act permits. The Corps’ current backlog has left thousands of projects in regulatory limbo, adding costs and delays. “Delays in permit approvals are stalling key infrastructure projects in Colorado and across the nation,” said Rep. Hurd. “My bill requires the Army Corps to clear this backlog so communities can get moving on critical projects without unnecessary delays. I’m proud this important legislation passed with the PERMIT Act today, and I’m grateful to Chairman Graves and Chairman Collins for their leadership on cutting red tape that prevents America from building.” The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration. Read the full bill here. ### Issues: Transportation and Infrastructure Water

House Passage of Rep. Hurd’s Snowpack Bill Marks Step Forward for Colorado Forecasting

WASHINGTON - Rep. Hurd secured a major legislative victory with House passage of the Snowpack Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3857), his second bill to advance through the chamber. The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, reauthorizes and updates the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program to incorporate modern technologies, including LiDAR and satellite imagery, to improve the accuracy of snowpack and water-supply predictions. In Colorado’s Third District—where agriculture, recreation, and municipal water systems rely heavily on snowpack—accurate forecasting is critical for irrigation planning, drought management, and annual water allocation. The bill supports the use of advanced tools capable of producing three-dimensional models of snowpack conditions, enabling water managers to better anticipate spring runoff and make more informed decisions about water storage and distribution. “We cannot manage what we cannot measure. Water is life in the West, and accurate data is how we manage it,” said Rep. Hurd. “Families, ranchers, and water managers across CO-03 make critical decisions every day based on snowpack forecasts—decisions that affect their livelihoods and our communities. This bill gives them better tools and more reliable information to plan with. I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this commonsense legislation.” "Mountain snowpack is a vital source of freshwater that many states across America rely upon. H.R. 3857 will increase the accuracy of snowpack measurements and allow the usage of emerging technologies," said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman. "I commend Rep. Hurd for his commitment to ensure that America has accurate information on freshwater sources." “Today’s passage of the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act is a crucial step to improve forecasting and available data for snowpack and water supply monitoring,” said Congressman Neguse. “I’m proud to join Rep. Hurd on this bill to ensure that our communities here in Colorado have the data and resources they need to thrive.” The Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act will now head to the Senate for consideration. Read the full bill here. ### Issues: Water